Summary
- Wacky deckbuilder StarVaders received a new trailer just ahead of launch.
- The game will release exclusively on Steam on April 30.
- StarVaders will be priced at $24.99, not accounting for its 10% launch discount, which will be valid for two weeks.
Sci-fi deckbuilder StarVaders received a launch trailer, offering the final look at its gameplay ahead of release. The brief promo video highlights most of the game's core mechanics and underlines the fact that StarVaders will be an unapologetically wacky experience.
StarVaders is a mech-themed deckbuilding game that's been in the works at the indie studio Pengonauts since around late 2021. Its Steam page materialized in late 2022, amassing over 55,000 wishlists since then. In late March 2025, the game finally locked in a release date: April 30.
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As is customary for upcoming releases, StarVaders shared a launch trailer just ahead of its market debut. The minute-long video aims to show off its deckbuilding gameplay loop in a rather fast-paced fashion, quickly alternating between gameplay mechanics and character showcases. It also serves as an introduction to the game's premise, which revolves around the player character being tasked with piloting a mech and fighting off a rather unpleasant alien invasion.
StarVaders Is As Flashy As Deckbuilders Get
Unlike most games with mechs, StarVaders is a deckbuilder. And unlike most deckbuilders, it offers an incredibly flashy experience, with each successful attack being visualized with a satisfying explosion of color and sound. Content-wise, StarVaders promises 10 pilots with distinct playstyles and a trio of mechs with comparably unique gameplay mechanics.
StarVaders will also have 268 cards, 50 Invader enemy types, and 9 bosses. Another complexity layer will come in the form of 153 Artifacts, which can change the rules of the game. An elaborate story campaign will also be part of the package, together with multiple difficulty levels and game modes. Anyone who enjoys fast-paced deckbuilding games and a challenge should hence feel right at home with Pengonauts' debut title.
StarVaders Is Getting a 10% Launch Discount
StarVader's April 30 release will be limited to Steam. The game hasn't yet been confirmed for any other platform or PC storefront. Its Steam page lists two publishers: Joystick Ventures and Playworks. The chance of a multi-platform release will ostensibly depend on how well the game does on Valve's storefront. In theory, StarVaders' gameplay could translate well to a touchscreen, but the game would likely need a different business model if it was to have any success on mobile devices. Namely, the PC version of StarVaders will retail for $24.99, which is well beyond what the typical mobile gamer would ever consider paying for a single premium title. On a related note, the sci-fi deckbuilder will be available at a 10% launch discount, bringing its price down to $22.49 for the first two weeks following its release.
- Released
- April 30, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Pengonauts
- Publisher(s)
- Joystick Ventures, Playworks
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Playable
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
